Non-union in a hook of hamate fracture of a skeletally immature baseball player

Abstract

An isolated hook of hamate fracture is an extremely rare condition in skeletally immature patients. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for the functional outcome of athletes such as baseball players. The hook of hamate fracture may be missed at initial presentation due to nonspecific symptoms and false-negative radiographs, which may eventually lead to a nonunion. Currently, there is no clear indication of surgical intervention for nonunion of the hook of hamate in a skeletally immature patient. This report presents the case of a twelve-year-old skeletally immature male with a hook of hamate fracture who underwent surgical bone fragment excision three months after initial injury due to a nonunion of the hamate bone. At the two-year postoperative visit, excellent results were obtained, and patient was able to continue his sports activity without any functional impairment.

Keywords

• Skeletally immature
• Carpal bone
• Hook of hamate fracture
• Nonunion
• Athlete
• Excision